Flames were seen reaching for the skies when a fire in the open broke out in a rural part of the West Wight earlier this evening (Wednesday). Firefighters from Freshwater were mobilised to Dunsbury Farm Lane, between Brook and Compton, at 18:40. The single retained crew worked quickly to contain and extinguish the blaze, but a water carrier from Yarmouth was requested for additional water supplies. The incident wound down shortly after 20:00.
If you see a fire in the countryside, contact the fire service immediately on 999. Do not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water.
Remember, do not discard cigarettes or other smoking materials in the countryside. It is also important to clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire.
Always take extra care if using a barbecue and only light fires or BBQs in designated areas. Never leave a campfire or BBQ unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them.
